How to Get Rid of Roaches with Natural Home Remedies

There’s just something about roaches that make them very hard to exterminate. Use pets control sprays and you will still see them. Clean up your kitchen and you will still spot one creeping across your living room. Very frustrating, right? Well, not anymore. I have conducted thorough research and compiled top 10 home remedies to help you get rid of these stubborn creatures once and for all. No chemicals; just natural ingredients.

Let’s start with what causes roaches

Also known as cockroaches, roaches do not just appear in your home and make it one of theirs, nope. There are a few factors that make your home a sweet haven for them. Here are some of the causes, according to experts:

Poor domestic hygiene

Remote crevices and corners, where the roaches fit and flatten their bodies

Incorrect pet control measures

Fast multiplication

Stored food, especially those in uncovered containers

Homes with unmaintained drain pipes

And now to the Remedies

1. Neem oil/powder

Neem powder or oil is a fantastic alternative to those biological and synthetic pest control methods you always see on the net. Research shows that it contains a number of volatile components, all of which work as insect deterrents. Additionally, this remedy is purely natural, meaning that it’s not toxic to humans. Here’s what to do:

You will need...

1 tablespoon neem oil/ neem powder

Regular-sized spray bottle

Water

Directions

Start by putting the neem oil in the spray bottle, and then fill the remaining space with water. Carefully spray the solution directly to the affected areas during the night. Do this regularly, as needed.

Alternatively, sprinkle some neem powder around all the affected areas just before you go to bed. Also do this every day or as needed.

2. Coffee Grinds

Whether the aromatic coffee works as bait or the caffeine contained in it kills roaches is still a debatable point, but it works wonders. Since cockroaches tend to feed on anything organic they come across, chances are that they will feed on the coffee grinds, and that’s where the magic now happens. It will be their last time to do so! Here’s how to use coffee grinds:

You will need...

Small cups

Water

Wet coffee grinds

Large glass jars

Directions

Fill the glass jar with water to around halfway. Now place the wet coffee grinds inside your small cups, placing one cup inside the jars. Strategically place those jars against your baseboards or walls, where you think the roaches are nesting. Chances are that the aroma will attract these creatures and they get trapped inside the jar, and be at your mercy. Flash the roaches in the toilet and you will not see them again.

3. Borax and sugar

Borax works by dehydrating the exoskeleton of the pests, damaging their digestive system altogether. Sugar, on the other hand, helps in attracting them to the trap to increase the effectiveness. Here’s what to do:

You will need...

Borax

Sugar

Gloves

Directions

Start by mixing about three parts of the borax and one part of sugar, and then put that mixture along areas where roaches nest. It is advisable that you do this wearing a pair of gloves. Repeat this process.

Tip/Note

Borax is categorized among other poisonous substances, and thus needs a lot of care when handling. It might not be harmful to you, but it could be bad for your kids and pets. It is also recommended that you spray it in areas beyond reach by your little ones.

4. Catnip

If you haven’t heard of the herb known as catnip, then I suggest that you listen to me very carefully. This herb is rich in natural repellents that work wonders when it comes to getting rid of cockroaches. It contains nepetalactone, an active ingredient, which offers most of the repellency properties. A study published in 2006 by the American Chemical Society clearly stated that the catnip essential oil can kill any roaches within minutes. Here’s what to do:

You will need...

Catnip leaves

A porous sachet or bag

2 cups of water

Directions

Put some fresh catnip leaves inside a porous sachet or bag, leaving them in areas where there’s most cockroach activity. Let them sit there for a few days before you change the leaves.

Alternatively, simmer about 1 tablespoon of catnip leaves, adding 2 cups of water to make a solutions. Strain the solution and allow it to cool. Now spray it behind your kitchen counters, around the cabinets and anywhere else you suspect to have roaches.

5. Baking soda

If you fear using borax because you have kids running around your home all the time, it’s time to change the tactic and use a more friendly substance. I am talking about baking soda.

Studies show that it attracts roaches, and when ingested, it affects their digestive system killing them instantly. Just mix equal amounts of sugar and baking soda, and then sprinkle the mix in areas you suspect are infested. That’s it!

6. Pandan leaves

If you have used taxis, especially in countries like Malaysia and Singapore, it comes as no surprise that you will see some leaves inside the cars. Well, these are pandan leaves that are meant to repel cockroaches in the vehicles.

The volatile oils contained in the leaves attract the cockroaches, killing them instantly. So, just put these leaves strategically in your house, sit back and relax. Within days the roaches will be disappeared.

7. Bay leaf

This remedy does not necessarily kill roaches in your home. Instead, it repels them, driving every last of them out of your premises. This herb is used widely in Asia as a cooking spice, and can be easily found in the stores. Just crush the leaves and make powder, sprinkle it near the nesting places of roaches.

8. Fabric softener

That’s right. Even the fabric softener that use during your laundry could be a savior when it comes to killing roaches. These stubborn critters use their skin to breath, and when they are exposed to a somewhat soapy solution, none of them stands a chance to live. They all suffocate and die. Here’s the correct way to use this remedy:

You will need...

Fabric softener

Water

Spray bottle

Directions

Take equal amounts of water and fabric softener and mix them together. Put that solution inside a spray bottle, and then spray it directly on areas that contain roaches. Repeat everyday as needed.

9. Ammonia-water solution

Ammonia is also a great cockroach repellent because of its pungent smell. To make it effective, it is recommended that you make it a habit of cleaning all the hard surfaces with ammonia-water solutions. The roaches will not stand the smell and will leave every time you do it.

10. Cut off the roaches’ food supply and keep your home clean

I couldn’t have ended my remedies without this helpful hygiene tip. One of the key measures to get rid of roaches is simply cutting off all their food supply. The tiny creatures will not survive without food for over a week and they will disappear.

Just store food in airtight containers, keep raw vegetables and fruits in your fridge, and keep counters, tables and stoves clean. Also, make some effort to keep all the rooms in your house clean and as dry as possible.

Conclusion

Don’t worry if roaches have infested your home; most of us have been there. Just use these remedies and you will never complain about these tiny creatures any more. To enlighten your friends, share this article widely and comment in the comment box if you have any concern.

IkeepHealthy is a healthy information website which provides kinds of health, beauty and recipes articles. Because I am from China, so I will add some Chinese methods or ideas in some articles. I believe my articles can help people to live better. You can read my articles to keep healthy without paying a penny.